Read Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s last will and testament

Paul Allen at the University of Washington in 2017. (GeekWire Photo / Kevin Lisota)

The last will and testament of the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen is now public after being filed in King County Superior Court, but it offers no details about the fate of the many ventures the billionaire philanthropist had a hand in.

The document was signed by Allen on July 18. He died on Oct. 15 at the age of 65, two weeks after announcing that he was diagnosed with a recurrence of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The will was filed on Oct. 24.

At just six pages, the will is notable for its brevity. Allen’s estate is directed to a living trust dated Dec. 17, 1993. His sister Jody Allen and her children are listed as beneficiaries. Allen was not married and had no children or descendants.

“I have been given the great responsibility to steward Paul’s wealth in service of his vision for the future. I will do all that I can to ensure that Paul’s vision is realized, not just for years, but for generations,” she said in a statement at the time.

If Jody Allen is unable to act as personal representative, the will states that Nancy Peretsman is first in line behind her. Peretsman is a longtime managing director at the investment firm Allen & Company.

Allen Israel and Nicholas Saggese “acting together as co-personal representatives” are listed behind Peretsman. Israel is an attorney at Seattle-based Foster Pepper and is Paul Allen’s longtime personal attorney. Saggese’s LinkedIn lists him as a senior advisor at Moelis & Co. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2001 that he previously advised Allen’s investment firm on the sale of DreamWorks SKG to Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. in its bankruptcy reorganization.

“My personal representative shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for services rendered,” the will states.

Writer and editor Kurt Schlosser covers the Geek Life beat for GeekWire. A longtime journalist, photographer and designer, he has worked previously for NBC News, msnbc.com and the Seattle P-I. Follow Kurt on Twitter or reach him at kurt@geekwire.com.

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